As the Washington Redskins worked their way through training camp and the preseason the team’s abundance of talent at tight end became increasingly apparent.

The Redskins had re-signed sixth-year veteran Fred Davis and fourth-year pro Logan Paulsen in March. The following month they used a third-round pick to draft Jordan Reed out of Florida. Meantime Niles Paul entering his third season also remained in the mix after converting from wide receiver last year.

Reed’s acquisition had a lot to do with the uncertainty surrounding Davis in the spring. An impressive threat with Pro Bowl-caliber talent Davis had not fully recovered from a ruptured left Achilles’ tendon in Week 7 of the 2012 season. Neither Reed nor Davis took part in offseason practices (Reed was recovering from a knee bruise).

But once training camp and the preseason got underway offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s experimentation began. All four tight ends contributed in a variety of ways during the preseason games and once the team formed its 53-man roster all four made the cut.

In Week 1 Shanahan used the tight ends in varying degrees. But the tinkering will continue as Shanahan who has not directed an offense with more than three tight ends tries to maximize the rare collection of talent at his disposal.

“It’s tough to get a perfect rotation but what we try to do is do what’s best for the team. Each guy has his pluses and minuses” Shanahan said. “When you have four guys that can play you want to get them all involved so you try to get them in at what they do best but you can’t always put them in specific situations because then it becomes a tendency issue.”

As Shanahan said all four tight ends come in different sizes shapes and skill-sets.

At 6 feet 4 and 247 pounds Davis the starter ran a 4.67-second 40-yard dash coming out of USC. Paulsen who started in place of Davis last season and often gets the first nod in two-tight end sets is the biggest of the bunch at 6-5 261. Paul is the fastest boasting 4.41-second time in the 40-yard dash.

Reed may be the most versatile having played slot receiver running back quarterback and tight end at Florida.